Memorandum device



Sept 4, 1951 H. LATHRoP MEMORANDUM DEVICE Filed Feb. 25, 1950 IN VEN TOR. HAE VE Y LTHEOP Patented Sept. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEMORANDUM DEVICE Harvey Lathrop, Forest Hills, N. Y. Application February 25, 1950, Serial No. 146,328

3 Claims. 1

My present invention relates generally to memorandum devices.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of pleasing appearance in which an extended length of paper can be accommodated in such a way that successive areas can be pulled into an exposed position in which the user can. jot memoranda thereon.

A more particular object is to provide this device in a form which can be manufactured inexpensively and which nevertheless permits the selective employment of a variety of attractive materials to impart to the finished product an appearance of quality and aesthetic appeal.

The device consists essentially of a four-sided box within which a strip of paper of extended length, preferably in the form of a roll, can be easily accommodated. vThe box is provided with a top wall which is hingedly mounted so that it can be swung upwardly when access to the interior of the box is desired. An end portion of the paper strip extends upwardly around the free end of the top wall and vthence into a positionoverlying the top wall; and the upper surface of the top wall is relatively unyielding so as to serve as a backing for the overlying area of paper in order -to facilitate writing thereon.

' In accordance with myv invention, a retaining bar is mounted on the upper surface of the top wall adjacent to its hinged end and parallel thereto, and the paper strip is caused to be threaded beneath this retaining bar. In this way the strip itself serves normally to hold the top wall in a closed position in which the main part of the paper supply is concealed within the box.

Features of the invention include a special dimensioning of the top wall, relative to the side and end walls, so as to achieve the desired cooperative action of the various parts of the device in an expeditious yet attractive manner; a design and proportioning of the parts in such a way that the device is easy to use and can be readily reloadedand re-used over long periods of time; and the provision of an outer top wall which is so mounted and is .of such size thati it can serve as an attractive cover which lends itself-well to monogramming or other embellishment.

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a memorandum device of the present character, shown in its normal closed condition;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the outer top wall thrown back;

'Figure 3 is a similar view showing the device empty `and in completely opened condition; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure l.

The box has front and rear end walls I0 and II, side walls I2 and I3, and a bottom wall Il. The front wall I0 is preferably of shorter height than'the rear wall II, and the side walls lI2 and I3 are of corresponding trapezoidal shape so that their upper edges .incline rearwardly upward..

The top wall I5 is hinged along one end I6 to the upper edge of the front wallk III. The width of the top wall I5 is such that when the wall lies in its closed position it will rest upon. the upper edges of the side walls I2 and I3. The length of the wall I5 is preferably such that when the wall is in its closed position,v a gap will be formed between the free end I1 of the top wall I5 and the upper edge of the rear wall II. This gap Ais most clearly indicated 'in Figures2and4.

For a purpose that will presently become apparent, the free end Il of the wall I5 is preferably smoothly rounded. .4

On the upper surface of the top wall I5, ad. jacent to the hinged. end I8,.there ismounted a retaining bar I8. This bar may consist of an element of metal, plastic, or equivalent material. The bar is preferably rectangular, as bestshown in Figure 2, and it lies parallel to theifhinged end I6 of the top wall I5.: It is secured to the wall I5 at its opposite ends `(by screws, nails, adhesive means, or in any Aother convenient way), and these ends are slightly elevated from the surface of the wall I5, so that there is a narrow space beneath the bar I8 through which the end of a paper strip I9 may be threaded.

The strip I9, as shown in Figure 2, emanates from a main supply of paper accommodatedwith-. in the box. Preferably, this supply assumes the form of a roll 20 mounted upon a core ZI of. wood, cardboard, or the like. A false ilooring 22 may be mounted within the box, if desired, to facilitate the free. accommodation within the' box of the supply roll 2,0. The element v22 may be of any suitable material, such las cardboard,

and it can be either V-shaped or U-.shaped, to" y define a sort of cradle upon which the roll 2,0. linds support and isnevertheless free to rotate.

The roll 20 is vaccommodated within the box in the disposition shown most clearly in Figure 4, so that the end portion of the strip of paper extends from the bottom of the roll rearwardly upward around the rounded free end vI1 of the top wall I5, thence forwardly over this wall and beneath the bar I8. In this way, an area of paper. is exposed, upon which memoranda may be written. To facilitate this, the upper `surface ofthe top wall I5 is made relatively unyielding so` that it will serve as a back for the paper which over-v lies it.

It will be observed that when the paper stripl is associated with the device in the manner described, the strip itself serves to hold the-wall I5 in its closed position, thus concealing from view the main part of the paper supply. It is only when the supply has been exhausted, or by disengaging the paper strip from beneath the retaining bar t8; that the top wall may be swung upwardly into the position shown in Figure 3. This aiords access to the interior oi the box.,

and permits easy reloading with a new roll or equivalent supply of paper in strip form.

In accordance with my invention, the device is provided with a second top wall 23 which is arranged in hinged relation to 'the upper edge of the rear wall Il. The wall 23 is of such dimensions that it may fully overlie the top of the device, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, to concealfthewall f and the paper extending across itT The wall 23 is swung rearwardly into the position shown in Figure 2 when the paper is tobe exposed for writing or reading notations thereon.

Thus, the top wali I5 constitutes what may be termed an inner top wall, while the wall 23 is an outer top wall,

Y The device may be constructed of any desired material. and may be of any convenient size. For ordinary household or oilce use, it has been found satisfactory to make the device about 4i inches from front to rear, and from side to side, the rearwall being approximately 31/2 inches high and the front wallbeing about 21A; inches high. It is feasible to make the end walls and the side walls of wood, and to cover'them vrith ornamental leather or the like; and if desired the two top walls I 5 and 23 may form integral end parts of a leather or leather-covered element which overlies the front and rear walls lil and f l, and denes` the bottom wall I4. It is a structure of this kind that has been chosen for illustration inthe present drawings. The various parts are held together'by small nails or the like, by adhesive means, or in any other wellknown and convenient ways. The attractive appearance of the device, as well as its utility, can be enhanced' by mounting a tubular pencil holder 26 at the free end of the outer top wall'23, and by securing a pencil 25 to the end of a chain 26 secured to the device as at 2'1.

,. In using the device, successive areas of the paper strip are pulled into exposed position, and the used parts of the paper are torn off along the front edge of theV bar f8.

j In general it will be understood that many of the details herein described and illustrated maybe modied by those skilled in the art Without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims` y Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

I. In a memorandum -device, a box having a bottom wall and upstanding side walls and end walls, the front end wall being of less height than the rear one and the side walls having upper edges which have a corresponding rearwardly upward inclination,Y a top wall hinged to the front end wall and swingable upwardly to vafford access to the interior of the box, said top wall having a rounded free end and being wide enough so that when it is in closed position it will rest upon the upper-edges of the side walls, aretaining bar mounted on the upper surface or" said top wall adjacent to its hinged end and paral- Iel thereto, whereby a strip vof paper of extended length can be disposed within said box with au 4 end portion thereof extending upwardly around the rounded free end of said top wall and thence forward-ly beneath said retaining, bar, said paper strip thereby serving normally to hold said top wall in its closed position, said top wall having a relatively unyielding upper surface adapted to serve as a backing for the overlying area of said paper strip. 2. In a memorandum device, a box having a bottom wall and upstanding side walls and end walls, the front end wall being of less height than the rear one and the side walls having upper edges which have a corresponding rearwardly upward inclination, an inner top wall hinged to the frontl end wall and wide enough to rest upon the upper edges of theside walls, an outer top wall hinged to the rear end wall, a retaining bar mounted on the upper surface of said inner top wallv adjacent to its-hinged `end and parallel thereto, whereby a strip of paper of extended length can be disposed within said box with an end portion thereof extending upwardly around the rear free end of said inner top wall and thence forwardly beneath said retaining bar, said paper strip thereby serving normally to hold said inner top wall in its closed position, said inner'top wall having a relatively unyielding upper surface adapted to serve as a backing for the overlying area of saidpaper strip, said outer top wall being oi' a size adequate to cover said inner top wall and being swingable rearwardly when vsaid area of paper is to be exposed for use.

' 3. lIn a memorandum device, a box having a bottom wall and upstanding side Walls and end walls, the front end wall being of less height than the rear one and the side walls having upper edges which have a corresponding rearwardly upward inclination, a top wall hinged to the front lend wall and swingable upwardly to aord access tothe interiorof thel box, saidI top wall having a rounded free end and being of such dimensions that when itis in closed position it will rest upon the upper edges of the side walls and will leave a gap between its rounded rear end and the rear end Wall of the box, whereby a roll of paper canbe accommodated within the box with its end portion extending upwardly through said gap Vand thence forwardly over said top wall, said top wall having a relatively unyielding upper surface adapted to serve as a backing for the overlying area of paper, and a U-shaped floor in said box extending from front to back and defining a cradle which presents an upwardly concave smooth surface adapted' loosely to support said roll of paper thereon.

HARVEY LATHROP.

B;ElEREN'CES CITED v The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS 'masas 

